Words To Remember - "It's All Good"

In Romans 8:28, we see these words penned by the Apostle Paul, "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." (NRSV).

In the surrounding passages of this verse, we see the mention of the sufferings of the present (8:18) and the subjection to the sin of the past (8:20).  However, in the midst of it all, we see the salvation of the future (8:18b,21-25), which brings us to those wonderful words aforementioned, "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose."

As we look back over this year, 2009, we see victories, but we also see defeat; we see life, but we also see death; we see joy, but we also see sorrow.  But in the midst of it all, God would have His people to know that It's All Good!  Why?  Because "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are the called according to his purpose."  God has a glorious future for His people, despite the sin of the past and the sufferings of the present.  And this glorious future involves His people being "conformed to the image of his Son..."(8:29); God wants us to look like Jesus.

So no matter what you might have faced in this past year, or even what you might be currently facing in the present, be encouraged in this, that it is all working for good, if you love God, and are called according to His purpose.  There is a bright future ahead.  It's All Good!